Google acquires Canadian Cloud specialist firm AppBridge

Alphabet's Google today announced the acquisition of Canadian technology firm AppBridge that helps companies transfer data to the technology giant's Cloud platform.

The company also announced a slew of products and services for both enterprises and individuals including add-ons for Gmail, Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat. (Reuters)

Alphabet’s Google today announced the acquisition of Canadian technology firm AppBridge that helps companies transfer data to the technology giant’s Cloud platform. “We are acquiring Vancouver-based AppBridge that builds connectors to… connect up into Google Cloud,” said Prabhakar Raghvan, vice president (apps) Google Cloud at the Cloud Next Conference here. Raghvan, however, did not disclose the details of the deal.

The company had yesterday announced the acquisition of start-up firm Kagger. The company also announced a slew of products and services for both enterprises and individuals including add-ons for Gmail, Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat.

“Last year, we talked about doubling our enterprise focus for Hangouts and our commitment to building communication tools focused on the way teams work from anywhere, anytime. More than half of the workforce will contribute remotely by 2020, so businesses require purpose-built tools to help employees succeed,” he said.

“Our customers have told us it should be effortless for them to connect over video and that should be more collaborative, so we’re evolving Hangouts to focus on two experiences that help bring teams together and keep work moving forward — Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat,” he said.

Hangouts Meet is a new video meeting experience aimed to make joining meetings effortless so that people can be as productive as they are when they’re face-to-face, he said.

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Besides, the company will launch Jamboard at a price point of $5,000 and annual service charge of $600 per annum in the US in May this year. It would be subsequently rolled out in other parts of the world depending on certification.

The Jamboard is part of Google’s G Suite portfolio of software services like Gmail that is aimed at business customers. The device was designed to work well with its tools for workplace, chat or video conferencing.

On Gmail add-ons, he said, “It will let Gmail users access third party vendor app functionality in Gmail with just one tap, no matter what device they’re on. They provide a powerful new framework for developers to surface their app based on email content that’s contextually relevant.”

The company also showcased new features for Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and G Suite that are designed to help safeguard assets and prevent disruption to clients.